VehicleVerdict

2014 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 524 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Sentra year — the 2014 model ranks #2 of 45 Sentra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 182 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

524

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Sentra years?

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission18235%
Engine6412%
Other5711%
Airbags5110%
Electrical System469%
Brakes367%
Speed Control316%
Fuel System132%
Suspension92%
Steering92%
Seat Belts61%
Body & Structure51%
Lighting51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Driver Assistance20%

Does the 2014 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V253000AirbagsApril 13, 2017 · 30,038 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V242000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 645,898 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Sentra vehicles manufactured June 4, 2012, to April 9, 2016. The front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). The deformed seat bracket may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to incorrectly classify the installed CRS, resulting in the front passenger air bag to not be turned off as designed when a CRS is in the seat.

Consequence

If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk of injury to the child in the CRS.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the seat belt bracket as well as reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2016. Owners are warned not to install a CRS in the front seat. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

15V681000AirbagsOctober 20, 2015 · 919 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

14V138000Electrical SystemMarch 25, 2014 · 989,701 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Transmission failed, as I went to turn left it stalled and on coming traffic had to slam on there brakes and 6 veh. Ran into each other i dud not get hit but feel so bad that the 2914 nissan sentra i drive caused this traffic hazard. 2 people had to go to the hospital. It should be illegal to sell…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 5, 2025 · crash · fire

My Nissan Sentra burst into flames on July 27,2022-not sure why this occurred; the car was last serviced before this incident on June 17, 2022-the car's Compressor/AC were replaced. I had just parked the car at a hotel when the fire began. The only inspection was from a fire marshal and the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 27, 2022 · fire

GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING YOU CAN FILL THE GAS ALL THE WAY UP AND THE GAUGE DOESN'T GO ON THE FULL BAR IT JUST FILLS UP TO 3/4. THEN THE GAS MILES WILL SAY 340 THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT SAYS 280 THEN DRIVE A LITTLE MORE IT GOES TO 320. THE A/C DOESN'T WORK AS MUCH AS YOU FIX IT AND FOR THE A/C TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 10, 2018

WHILE TRAVELING IN GLENDALE, UTAH IN JUNE 2015, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. BEING DAZED AND INJURED AT THAT TIME I WAS UNSURE WHAT HAPPENED. NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. I WAS WITHIN SPEED LIMIT. NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS HERE. IT WAS A DRY DAY EARLY AFTERNOON. THE LAST I RECALL WAS THE AIRBAG INFLATING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 6, 2015 · crash

My Nissan Sentra burst into flames on July 27,2022-not sure why this occurred; the car was last serviced before this incident on June 17, 2022-the car's Compressor/AC were replaced. I had just parked the car at a hotel when the fire began. The only inspection was from a fire marshal and the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 27, 2022 · fire

2014 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2014 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 524 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 45 Sentra years. It is one of the Sentra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (182 complaints), engine (64 complaints), other (57 complaints).

Does the 2014 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Nissan Sentra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2014 Nissan Sentra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Nissan Sentra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.